Tomatoes, eggplants and peppers growing in 4-gallon pots (without holes in the bottom) filled with growing medium are automatically watered by a home-made float valve which maintains a constant water level of 1 to 2 inches deep at the bottom of the pot. The growing medium in the entire pot is moistened by capillary water movement. Water and fertilizer use is efficient because there is no drainage loss from the pots. Only one application of a slow release fertilizer was made at transplanting time.
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Automatic Watering of Tomatoes, Eggplants and Peppers in Containers of Growing Medium by B A Kratky

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19 Comments

  • tangobayus

    I watched a previous video where you talked about using a float valve to maintain a constant level. This led me to a solution where I drill a hole in the side of the container at the desired level and allow the overflow to go back to a reservoir. I think I can do this even in standard 10×20 trays. I expect there is less stress on the plants and more production due to the plants spending less energy growing roots to reach a receding water level.

  • Astrid Prescod

    Interesting..It would have been good to know the measurement of the growing medium and also a simpler explanation of the valve setup. Thanks for sharing though

  • CU96821

    Aloha Doc!
    I love how you continuously demonstrate that you don't need expensive high tech systems to produce great crops.
    Also I would love to know your opinion on Larry Elisions plan for a high tech hydroponic operation on his island of Lanai.
    -Charles

  • NightWaves

    I'm noticing my UH Healani tomatoes Kratky method growing outside get smiley face cracks around the top. Maybe a row cover to block some sun will keep them from bloating when the sun starts cranking up the level. Around 8 of the plants are just now ripening so we'll see how things progress. Thanks for the videos. Some of us don't wear a hat gardening so we have to have breaks inside or our heads look like ripe tomatoes :). Thus we need more of your videos for our down time 🙂

  • Jeb Gardener

    I've noticed when one fruit out of the bunch develops blossom end rot and the others are fine, a physical issue appears to be the cause. For example with tomatoes a kinked stem leading to the fruit or a tear on that stem.

  • sumo

    Nice job, love the low maintenance aspect. As you had an even surface, you could have also made one float valve in one control bucket, then connect the buckets directly to each other. Always pros and cons to each method.

  • mnelson10000

    Great video! An idea for your valve… you could use silicone cooking pads to swap out the neoprene with. Have you seen the Autopot system? They have a two-stage float valve that's absolute genius… it doesn't top back up until the pot is dry, so the soil goes through the whole wet/dry cycle.

  • Jana Miles

    Have you considered contacting the manufacturers of the Kerick valve and explaining to them what you would like to have and how it would be useful? I bet if you talk to the right person they would listen. They worked with Larry I believe in making that float for his project. There might be a market demand for a smaller float, as people are starting to want to become more self sufficient.

    The cost of the float In the picture I sent you included a package price of a complete set up for the self watering kiddie pool grow system . I dont know what the individual cost per float is. And Amazon or another retailer might have it cheaper.

  • Rev John O'Toole

    I'm going to use this float valve for my raft setups.
    thanks
    I have a five gallon bucket with a drain at 1" below a 4" netcup for my tomato plants. I wish to make a compact float valve that can go into the bucket to have the self watering setup.
    any thoughts?

  • Jana Miles

    Take a look at the Kerick float valve assembly. It is covered. you can find a picture of it here. http://www.growbaggardensystems.com. I believe it is also sold on Amazon, but Larry has the one that is covered.
    Larry Hall has experimented many ways of making gardening easier using inexpensive means. The kiddie pool sub-irrigation self watering system is my favorite.
    You might enjoy some of his ideas.
    I know that I appreciate your growing methods and teachings. Especially when there is the possibility of no electricity. My grandparents would have greatly benefited from your knowledge and teachings, as they were dependent upon thier gardens.

  • Jana Miles

    This is the same concept as Larry Hall's set up using kiddy pools, grow bags, and float valve to keep automatic watering it one inch depth. works great. Need to keep the one inch water level covered under say at least 2 inched pea rock or other medium to discourage mosquitoes, and algae.

  • WILL fill

    So, what was the point of using wrapping a plastic bag on the float valve? Also I do something similar where I take some twine rope, soak it, and keep half in water and half in dirt to wick water into the soil, the only problem is you can't control moisture.

    Great video maybe I'll use this for my more unique plants!

  • Matt Garver

    Incredible to see you back in action at the university! Great demonstration of water conservation using the constant water level, float valve controlled, sub-irrigation. This is really the way to grow for many families who don't have the time to tend to a garden. No weeds, no watering, just a great opportunity to sit back and harvest food.